Startinf.com – a browser hijacker that pretends to be legit search tool

Startinf.com is a questionable search engine that might appear in the browser out of nowhere. Security experts classify it as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker because it might alter affected browser’s settings and set its domain as startup page.
The so-called Startinf.com virus spreads with the help of free programs. During incorrect installation, the PUP might sneak inside and start its activities, such as:
- modifying or creating new Windows Registry entries;
- setting default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL to startinf.com;
- redirecting to unknown third-party sites;
- displaying an excessive amount of ads;
- collecting browsing-related information about users.
However, the look of Startinf.com seems legit and user-friendly. The search tool redirects to google.ru results page and offer quick access to Facebook, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, Amazon, eBay, Twitter, and Wikipedia. However, there’s one problem. The main page does not include terms of Use and Privacy Policy.[1]
The absence of these documents makes this tool shady because it’s unknown how developers treat user’s information. Security experts from Virusi.bg[2] note that the majority of hijackers track information related to search queries and visited websites in order to employ personalized advertising strategies.
Therefore, the hijacker might pose a danger to user’s privacy. Additionally, the computer might be at risk as well. The analysis of the PUP warns about suspicious Startinf.com redirect issues. If you click on a link in the results page, you might be redirected to the irrelevant third-party website. This annoying activity is one of the main features of the hijacker used to control user’s browsing sessions.
This activity also helps to generate revenue for the developers. Lots of website owners desperately look for a way to boost traffic to their sites or increase sales. However, cyber criminals tend to take advantage of hijacker’s services as well. Thus, you might land on phishing, tech support scam or other dangerous sites.
For this reason, people are advised not to use this search tool. In addition, Startinf.com removal is recommended if it appeared on the browser’s homepage suddenly. Even though the hijacker cannot damage the system directly, it increases the risk of encountering other malware.
You can remove Startinf.com either manually by following the guide at the end of the article or automatically with FortectIntego or another malware-removal tool.

“Unpacking” freeware can prevent from the hijack
The hijacker spreads in software bundles that can be any free program that you install from torrents,[3] file sharing sites or other P2P networks. If you install freeware or shareware using “Quick” or “Recommended” settings, you give indirect permission to install the whole package without knowing what is inside.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, you should always install software using “Advanced” or “Custom” settings that allows “unpacking” the program. It means you will see all additional downloads and reject their installation.
Uninstall Startinf.com entirely from Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or another browser
Startinf.com removal consists of three main stages: system investigation, uninstallation of suspicious add-ons and browser reset. Below you can find manual removal guide that will help to get rid of hijacker-related entries.
However, you can also remove Startinf.com automatically with security software. Don’t forget that after running a system scan, you should also reset the browser to make sure that all components are gone for good.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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